Refugees to have own team at Rio Olympics

Team of 10 refugees, including Syrian swimmers and DRC judokas, to compete at this summer's Olympic Games in Brazil.

04 Jun 2016 04:11 GMT

The first-ever refugee team will enter the opening ceremony in the Maracana Stadium before hosts Brazil and under the Olympic flag [UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau]

A 10-strong refugee team is to compete at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year as "a symbol of hope," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said.

"These refugees have no home, no team, no flag, no national anthem. We will offer them a home in the Olympic Village together with all the athletes of the world," IOC President Thomas Bach said on Friday following an executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The members of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Athletes team

- Rami Anis, 25, Syria, 100-metre butterfly

- Yolande Mabika, 28, Democratic Republic of the Congo, middleweight

- Paulo Amotun Lokoro, 24, South Sudan, 1,500 metres

- Yusra Mardini, 18, Syria, 200-metre freestyle

- Yiech Pur Biel, 21, South Sudan, 800 metres

- Rose Nathike Lokonyen, 23, South Sudan, 800 metres

- Popole Misenga, 24, Democratic Republic of the Congo, middleweight

- Yonas Kinde, 36, Ethiopia, marathon

- Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, 21, South Sudan, 1,500 metres

- James Nyang Chiengjiek, 28, South Sudan, 800 metres

Selected from 43 possible candidates, there are two Syrian swimmers, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and six runners from Ethiopia and South Sudan in the refugee team.

"They all fled violence and persecution in their countries and sought refuge in places as wide-ranging as Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Kenya and Brazil," UNHCR said in a statement.

"The initiative to send a refugee team to the Rio Games is unprecedented and sends a strong message of support and hope for refugees worldwide."

The first-ever refugee team will enter the opening ceremony in the Maracana Stadium before hosts Brazil and under the Olympic flag.

Throughout the Games, they will be treated as any other team, but will have expenses paid by the IOC.

There are two Syrian swimmers, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and six runners from Ethiopia and South Sudan in the refugee team [UNHCR/Kim Badawi]

The IOC said the athletes, six men and four women, were selected according to their personal circumstances, UN-verified refugee status and sporting ability.

“We are very inspired by the Refugee Olympic Athletes team - having had their sporting careers interrupted, these high-level refugee athletes will finally have the chance to pursue their dreams,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

“Their participation in the Olympics is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees in overcoming adversity and building a better future for themselves and their families. UNHCR stands with them and with all refugees.”